Anyone running larger tires?

[billr99]

You cannot vary the overall diameter much because it will affect the ABS system. For example Tire Rack has 215/85-16 tires but they are more than 11% larger in diameter. They would "fill up" the wheel wells (if they would even fit without rubbing) but you would crash and die when your ABS went haywire the first time it kicked in. Ok maybe you won't die. Even going to a 215/70-16 is more than 3% larger in diameter which is still too great a difference.

I think that' s over stating it a bit. ABS works on the differential of rotational speed across the 4 wheels. As long as your tires are all the same diameter you would be fine. Now saying that, I have something pretty close to the size you mention on my Defender and I can tell you that no way would they fit on an XC, but just as a space thing really. With an XC I would be way more concerned by any stress put into the AWD system and the affect on handling by some absurdly gross tire oversize fitment. Additionally, the affect on gearing and torque delivery would be way more screwed up than anything you would see come out of the braking system.

Anyway, my two cents on the subject.

Cheers,

Bill

[sjonnie]

I'd like to throw something like this on there

You mean like this: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/100237-new-shoes/

[tinker]

Look here for my comments on the General Grabber AT2

I'd looked into the BFG tires, but found the General which is very practical and has proven very good in messy winter off-pavement conditions.





Cheers
Tinker

[uscgc70]

bigger tires will not cause any issues with the car as long as they don't rub. as previously stated, all the computers do is compare wheel speeds, so as long as you change all 4 tires you'll be fine. after several thousand miles on my Mud Terrains, i haven't even been killed! on a side note, the BFG's are pretty well useless in the snow. if you're looking for all weather tires, look at a tire with sipes.